Research Helps With Storage Diseases

Continuing research in the Pacific Northwest is helping growers control pink rot and pythium leak potato storage diseases.

Research noted that a trial of Fosphite from JH Biotech Inc., of Ventura, CA, and Phostrol by NuFarm America of Burr Ridge, IL, have the abililty to control storage diseases.

Fosphite was applied at varying rates in tests by University of Idaho researchers to determine what concentrations are required for post-harvest control. Washed tubers were inoculated by submersion in a suspension of zoospores of P. erythroseptica (late blight).

Replicated trials showed that treatments with Fosphite at three different dilutions greatly reduced both late blight and pink rot.

In university and independent studies by Nufarm America, their Phostrol fungicide has received amendments to its label to be used as a spray on potatoes going into storage. It has good control over late blight and pink rot.

Phostrol is a systemic fungicide that is used to prevent a wide variety of plant pathogens, especially water-mold control. Its application at post-harvest on potatoes began after success of foliar treatments targeting storage diseases.

Other products growers are using include Oxidate by BioSafe which has some control over storage diseases and Ozone treatment by O3Zone of Aberdeen, ID, going into storage which also shows some control of pathogens.